Protest in Samba against increase in illegal mining in IIOJK after Aug 2019 

Jammu, September 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, Continuing its mission against mining mafia, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, (AJKPC) held protest demonstration in different areas of Samba district, which has become safe haven for illegal mining syndicate particularly after Modi regime revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019.

President of the organization along with AJKPC volunteers held protest demonstrations in different areas of the district Samba. While addressing the protesting members, the AJKPC president said that ecology, flora and fauna and water bodies of all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir have inflicted by the illegal minor mineral mafia and the concerned mining department instead of taking action against the killers of ecology help them to find new ways for carrying on this illegal mining.

Sharma said that at one side the cost of minor minerals including sand, boulders (Bajri) going out of the reach of common people as the crusher owners charge exorbitant prices for these construction material, moreover they do not provide authentic GST bills and supply material only on Challan, the rates fixed by the concerned Department and district administration just remain on paper. Besides, condemning the role of Mining Department, he also condemned the district administration and tax authorities under whose patronage this illegal business flourishing.

While giving further details he informed that at present more than 22 mining blocks have been auctioned in district Samba at the total value of Rs 40 crore approximately, whereas the J and K Government had promised to allot mining rights to Panchayats. He said had these block been allotted to Local Panchayats that would have fetched more revenue to State kitty and had also made the rural local bodies self-reliant besides providing employment opportunities for local youth of the district.

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